• Title/Summary/Keyword: I-COSTA

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How the domestic industry of Costa Rica became more competitive in the US market. Antecedents and Trends

  • Pena-Vinces, Jesus C.;Castro, Segundo;Espasandin-Bustelo, Francisco
    • Journal of Distribution Science
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    • v.11 no.4
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    • pp.5-11
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    • 2013
  • Purpose - The aim of this work is to study the reorientation that the export industrial sectors in Costa Rica have experienced during the last 20 years. Research design, data, methodology - The study employs the Cluster Analysis with the export data (20 years of cut-off period) from Costa Rica to the U.S-market. To make the predictions, the technique of the time series was used, with official data (from 2001 to 2010) from the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission. Results - The Cluster Analysis, show how the economic sectors of traditional products exports of Costa Rica have progressively become in exporters of non-traditional products, meanwhile,the time series confirms that this trend will continue, at least during the next five years. Conclusions - The industry of traditional products exports of Costa Rica (dressmaking, vegetables, coffee, mate, species, etc.) will progressively become in exporters of non- traditional products with a high-tech component (i.e., mechanical equipment and devices, electronic devices and medical equipment),as a consequence of the Chinese (Costa Rica's main competitor) economy's presence in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OCDE). This fact has enabled the potential improvement of Costa Rica's international competitiveness in the U.S. market.

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Preliminary analyses on decontamination factors during pool scrubbing with bubble size distributions obtained from EPRI experiments

  • Lee, Yoonhee;Cho, Yong Jin;Ryu, Inchul
    • Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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    • v.53 no.2
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    • pp.509-521
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    • 2021
  • In this paper, from a review of the size distribution of the bubbles during pool scrubbing obtained from experiments by EPRI, we apply the bubble size distributions to analyses on the decontamination factors of pool scrubbing via I-COSTA (In-Containment Source Term Analysis). We perform sensitivity studies of the bubble size on the various mechanisms of deposition of aerosol particles in pool scrubbing. We also perform sensitivity studies on the size distributions of the bubbles depending on the diameters at the nozzle exit, the molecular weights of non-condensable gases in the carrier gases, and the steam fractions of the carrier gases. We then perform analyses of LACE-ESPANA experiments and compare the numerical ~ results to those from SPARC-90 and experimental results in order to show the effect of the bubble size distributions.

A taxonomic and distributional study of the rhodolith-forming species Lithothamnion muelleri (Corallinales, Rhodophyta) in the Eastern Pacific Ocean

  • Robinson, Nestor M.;Hansen, G.I.;Fernandez-Garcia, C.;Riosmena-Rodriguez, R.
    • ALGAE
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    • v.28 no.1
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    • pp.63-71
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    • 2013
  • Lithothamnion muelleri is reported for the first time as one of the main components of rhodolith beds along the Eastern Pacific Ocean based on samples from Washington State (USA), Pacific Baja California (M$\acute{e}$xico), southern Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. Individual rhodoliths ranged from fruticose to lumpy in morphology, and bi-sporangial, tetrasporangial, and gametangial plants were similar to those described from Australia and Brazil. Our study revealed a surprisingly wide latitudinal distribution of this species along the American continent. Its documentation in the Eastern Pacific will facilitate a more accurate interpretation of the ecology, biology, and biogeography of rhodolith beds worldwide.

Improvement of Pain according to Magnetic Resonance Imaging Classification in Bone Contusion around Foot and Ankle (족부 족관절 골좌상에서 자기공명영상 분류에 따른 통증의 호전)

  • Kim, Hyeong-Jik;Lee, Kwang-Bok
    • Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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    • v.23 no.4
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    • pp.183-188
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    • 2019
  • Purpose: Bone contusion is usually treated with conservative therapy for 3 months. Bone contusion around knee and hip joints has been extensively reported on, but there are scant reports on this condition in foot and ankle joints. This study evaluated the nature, characteristics and location of bone contusion around foot and ankle joints to enlighten clinicians on how to better treat this disease entity. Materials and Methods: We classified bone contusion of the 76 patients into three types (102 sites; 47 ankle sprains, 18 traffic accidents, 11 falls) according to the Costa-Paz system with employing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and the study then analyzed the common sites and areas of occurrence according to the mechanism of injury and duration of pain after first conducting conservative therapy. Results: Of the 76 patients (102 sites) on the MRI, 43 case (42.2%) for talus, 19 cases for distal tibia, and 12 cases for calcaneus were involved. The classification, according to the Costa-Paz system, was Type I, 51 cases; Type II, 32 cases; and Type III, 19 cases. The duration of pain after conservative treatment was 12.15±2.17 weeks for Type I, 14.5±2.15 weeks for Type II, and 21.0±3.8 weeks for Type III. Conclusion: The most common location of post-traumatic bone contusion around both the foot and ankle is the talus, distal tibia, and calcaneus. The most common type of injury noted on MRI is a diffuse signal with change of the medullary component (Type I), In cases of bone contusion extending to a subjacent articular surface or disruption or depression of the normal contour of the cortical surface (Types II, III), the patients' pain appears to last longer. Thus, it is necessary to consider a longer period of conservative treatment in cases of Types II and III bone contusion because the patients' pain may last longer than 3 months.

Biological and Genetic Characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis Isolates from Five Hydrographical Basins in Northern Portugal

  • Almeida, Andre;Moreira, Maria Joao;Soares, Sonia;Delgado, Maria De Lurdes;Figueiredo, Joao;Silva, Elisabete;Castro, Antonio;Da Costa, Alexandra Viana;Da Costa, Jose Manuel Correia
    • Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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    • v.48 no.2
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    • pp.105-111
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    • 2010
  • To understand the situation of water contamination with Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. in the northern region of Portugal, we have established a long-term program aimed at pinpointing the sources of surface water and environmental contamination, working with the water-supply industry. Here, we describe the results obtained with raw water samples collected in rivers of the 5 hydrographical basins. A total of 283 samples were analyzed using the Method 1623 EPA, USA. Genetic characterization was performed by PCR and sequencing of genes 18S rRNA of Cryptosporidium spp. and $\beta$-giardin of Giardia spp. Infectious stages of the protozoa were detected in 72.8% (206 of 283) of the water samples, with 15.2% (43 of 283) positive for Giardia duodenalis cysts, 9.5% (27 of 283) positive for Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts, and 48.1% (136 of 283) samples positive for both parasites. The most common zoonotic species found were G. duodenalis assemblages A-I, A-II, B, and E genotypes, and Cryptosporidium parvum, Cryptosporidium andersoni, Cryptosporidium hominis, and Cryptosporidium muris. These results suggest that cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis are important public health issues in northern Portugal. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report evaluating the concentration of environmental stages of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in raw water samples in the northern region of Portugal.

The Relationship between Bone Bruise in MRI and Associated Injuries after the Knee Joint Trauma (슬관절 외상 후 자기 공명 영상에서 관찰되는 잠재성 골 병변과 동반 손상과의 관계)

  • Kyung Hee-Soo;Ihn Joo-Chul;Kim Poong-Taek;Oh Chang-Wug;Yeo Jun-Young
    • Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
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    • v.1 no.1
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    • pp.89-96
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    • 2002
  • Purpose : The purpose is to analyze the relationship between bone bruise in MRI and associated injuries after the knee joint trauma. Materials and Methods : Total 50 cases were reviewed, divided into two groups according to initial trauma energy. High-energy group (group I), such as traffic accident was 13 cases, low-energy group (group II), such as sports trauma was 37 cases. The type of the lesion was used the classification by Costa-Paz. The site of lesion was analyzed according to femoral/tibial, medial/lateral and anterior/middle/posterior site respectively. Associated injuries were confirmed by physical examination, radiograph, MRI and arthroscopy. Results : In group I there was a various distribution of the bone bruise in the knee joint according to mechanism of injury. The bone bruise with ACL injury was 38$\%$ only and the most frequent type was Costa-Paz type I (52.6 $\%$). In group II more frequent locations were the middle portion of the lateral femoral condyle and the posterior portion of the lateral tibial condyle. Bone bruise associated with ACL injury, was upto 56.8 $\%$ and the frequent type were Costa-Paz type II (48 $\%$), in order type I (42 $\%$). As a result, in the high-energy injury the bone bruise had a various location in both condyle and less frequently associated injury, but in the low-energy injury there was particularly frequent location of bone bruise, associated injury and type. Conclusions : We could assess the associated injury by analysis of the location and type of bone bruise, especially in the low-energy injury, e.g. sports injury. But further study will be necessary with more case analysis.

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Partial replacement of soybean meal with different protein sources in piglet feed during the nursery phase

  • Genova, Jansller Luiz;Carvalho, Paulo Levi de Oliveira;Oliveira, Newton Tavares Escocard de;Oliveira, Aparecida da Costa;Gois, Franz Dias;Castro, Davi Elias de Sa e;Souza, Fabio Nicory Costa;Trautenmuller, Heloise;Santos, Liliana Bury de Azevedo dos;Leal, Isabela Ferreira
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.32 no.11
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    • pp.1725-1733
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    • 2019
  • Objective: Evaluate the partial replacement of soybean meal with different protein sources in piglet feed during the nursery phase in terms of digestibility of feed, nitrogen balance, growth performance and blood parameters. Methods: Experiment I involved 24 crossbred entire male pigs with an initial body weight (BW) of $18.28{\pm}0.7kg$ and used a randomized complete block design consisting of 3 treatments (fish meal, FM; soybean protein concentrate, SPC; and soybean meal, SBM) and 8 replicates, with 1 pig per experimental unit. Experiment II involved 1,843 crossbred male and female pigs with an initial BW of $6.79{\pm}0.90kg$ and was based on a completely randomized design with a $2{\times}3$ factorial arrangement (2 sexes and 3 protein sources) and 13 replicates. Results: The results of Exp. I indicate effects (p<0.05) of dietary protein sources on digestible protein (FM, 17.84%; SPC, 16.72%, and SBM, 18.13%) and on total nitrogen excretion (TNE, $g/kg\;BW^{0.75}/d$) in which pigs fed with SBM-based feed had TNE values that were 5.36% and 3.72% greater than SPC and FM, respectively. In the Exp. II, there was difference (p<0.01) between sexes in the pre-starter I and starter phases, and total period in average daily feed intake (ADFI), which were greater in females, and between the protein sources, ADFI, final weight and daily weight gain. For urea in the pre-starter II and starter phases and glucose in the pre-starter II phase, there was a difference (p<0.05) between protein sources and between sexes, in starter phase in urea concentrations (females: 57.11 mg/dL and males: 50.60 mg/dL). Conclusion: The use of SBM as only protein source influences larger TNE ($g/kg\;BW^{0.75}/d$), reduces the growth performance of piglets and increases plasma urea concentrations in prestarter II phase.

Investigations of Temperature Effect on the Conduction Mechanism of Electrical Conductivity of Copolymer/Carbon Black Composite

  • El Hasnaoui, M.;Kreit, L.;Costa, L.C.;Achour, M.E.
    • Applied Microscopy
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    • v.47 no.3
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    • pp.121-125
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    • 2017
  • This study deals the prediction of temperature effect on low-frequency dispersion of alternating current (AC) conductivity spectra of composite materials based on copolymer reinforced with carbon black (CB) particles. A sample of ethylene butylacrylate loaded with 13% of CB particles were prepared and investigated using the impedance spectroscopy representation in the frequency range from 40 Hz to 0.1 MHz and temperature range from $20^{\circ}C$ to $125^{\circ}C$. The dielectric constant, ${\varepsilon}^{\prime}$, and dielectric losses, ${\varepsilon}^{{\prime}{\prime}}$, were found to decrease with increasing frequency. The frequency dependence of the AC conductivity follows the universal power law with a large deviation in the high frequency region, the positive temperature coefficient in resistivity effect has been observed below the melting temperature which makes this composite potentially remarkable for industrial applications.

Parental Selection Strategies in Plant Breeding Programs

  • Bertan, Ivandro;Carvalho, Fernando I. F. de;Oliveira, Antonio Costa de
    • Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology
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    • v.10 no.4
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    • pp.211-222
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    • 2007
  • Selection of the appropriate parents to be used in artificial crosses is one of the main decisions faced by plant breeders that will facilitate the exploitation of maximum genetic variability and production of superior recombinant genotypes. Several techniques have been used in aiding the identification of genotypes with promising and desirable agronomical traits for hybridization. In this way, the objective of the present review is to gather available information for the selection of parents based on different breeding designs and analytical tools showing their similarities and highlighting the main advantages and disadvantages of their use.

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A Study on the Oil Pollution Compensation System in Korea (우리나라 유류오염보상제도에 관한 고찰)

  • 서동오
    • Journal of the Korean Institute of Navigation
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    • v.17 no.4
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    • pp.73-87
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    • 1993
  • As a result of accepting the '71 FUND Convention and enforcing the Oil Pollution Compensation Act 1992, we observed some benefits and costa. This paper analyses those benefits and costs and suggests se-veral key policy recommendations for the estasblishment of an effective oil pollution compensation regime in Korea. This paper identifies the said benefits and costs as follows : First, by establishing the oil pollu-tion compensation system as same as the international level, most of small and medium size of oil pollution damage which are caused by coastal tankers will be compensated by FUND. Second, most of oil pollution damage which are not covered by '69 CLC will be compensated by FUND. Third, some parts of FUND Contribution Fee and CRISTAL Contribution Fee to be charged by major oil companies will be doubled. However the limit of international oil pollution compensation system and the loophole outside the Oil Pol-lution Compensation Act 1992 suggest followings : 1) Radical risk management and insurance manage-ment of ocean going tanker owners, 2) Establishment of oil pollution claim settlement system, 3) Enforce-ment of crew and ship management for coastal tanker and 4) Establishment of Korean P & I Club.

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